In a recent blog article I wrote:

“Savvy marketers focus on two-way relationships, social marketing, blogging strategically. Many brands and companies turned to online simply because of cost factors. Traditional media, especially television, has become highly fragmented and difficult to plan effectively. Print media is rapidly declining as a valid choice for advertising. Online targeted reach comes in at pennies per thousand reached rather than dollars."

Rather than repeating entire blog posts here, I encourage you to visit the growing knowledge base of Blog Marketing Articles at Blogertize.com and Persona.These articles—together with daily short tips at Brainbrunch.com and Blogertize How-Tos and Podcasting How-Tos—hint at the content in the forthcoming book Blogertize — A Leading Expert Shows How Your Blog Can Be a Money-Making Machine, and are well worth the read. I'll synopsize the article headings here with links:

• Advertising and PR, the Money Pit

• Author Brand, Book Trailers and the Ultimate Secret of Book Sales Online

•  Staggering Statistics in Book Publishing can Read Like a Stephen King Horror Novel. Is There Any Hope for Authors and Publishers?

•  What do librarians, book publishers, O.J. Simpson, Steve Jobs and Amazon have in common?

• Blogging How-To for Book Publishers and Authors, A Proven Web 3.0 Approach Designed for Novels and Non-Fiction Books

• Just Do It, the Podcasting Mantra, a Podcast How-To

 

 

Latest ForeWord Magazine Publisher Insider Blog by Armstrong

Warning — May Cause Nightmares.

Book industry numbers are cold-sweat terrifying for publishers and authors alike. According to Nielsen Bookscan, 3,000 books are published per day in the United States alone (as reported on www.deadlyprose.com ). ForeWord can review at most a few thousand per year. Publishers report an average of 2,100 submissions per year, totaling 132 million submissions. Just under one percent are accepted for publication.

In the face of these staggering odds, is there any hope for authors and publishers?

The Majority of Books Sell Fewer than 99 Copies
Of the 1.2 million titles tracked by Bookscan in 2006, only 2.1% sold more than 5,000 books, 16.6% sold fewer than 1,000, and a terrifying 79.6% sold fewer than 99 copies. The 99 copies are no doubt the reason only one percent of authors’ submissions make it through the arduous publisher-review process.

This is all the stuff of wake-in-a-sweat nightmares: 63,000 publishers vie for readers with their wonderful author lists (according to Dan Poynter’s ParaPublishing.com).

The terror is no less for authors: only six conglomerate publishers publish fewer and fewer debut authors and less and less fiction. Then the real horror story commences as a book makes it into distribution. The bestseller dreams of authors and publishers are splashed with the cold water of real numbers.

Negative or Naïve?
Am I being negative or naïve? Perhaps both. The naïve part of the equation is my firm belief there are ways to break through these barriers to success. Kunati was founded with this goal in mind, and has proven it can work.

Heather Shaw touched on one important element of the success formula in her insightful Blog on book covers. When competing with 1.2 million titles, first impressions (impact) and credibility are vital. These are the twin functions of a cover.

What Works for Selling Books?
Websites, book videos and novel trailers, author critique groups, social marketing, author Blog tours, old-fashioned but still-important book signings, and publicity are the proven methods for marketing. I hope to focus on these in future Publisher Insider Blogs in a more how-to format.

Innovation begins with a study of what works. Read every Blog in the ForeWord archive and every article in the magazine. Visit the sites of successful publishers—the innovative publishers who lead with new ideas such as novel trailers, Blog touring, online publicity. (hint, hint, Kunati). Read every page on sites from innovative publishers.

Getting Noticed is the Primary Goal
My message is simple. With these horrifying numbers, being noticed is almost the only thing that matters—for both authors and publishers. Many authors are creative, even brilliant, yet if they can’t market their “author brand” no publisher is interested.

The publisher faces an epic battle analogous to a Tolkien quest to get attention in the marketplace. The publisher must build the authors’ brands, edit the manuscripts for the market, arrange distribution, obtain reviews from magazines (which choose from millions), then sell to wholesalers, retailers and finally readers.

The Retailer
How does a retailer choose which titles to carry? The average retailer chooses to stock a few thousand copies per year, far less than 1% of the titles available—similar in numbers to the reviews published annually by ForeWord. That’s not a coincidence.

Publisher and author success relies on buzz, which is a combination of review exposure, social networking, book cover designs, author activities such as Blogs and signings (the two types of touring, virtual and tangible). The last part of the equation is wonderful content.

Innovative Authors Look Beyond Good Prose... read the rest of the blog post here

Read Publisher Insider on ForeWord Magazine weekly here. 

  The Game

Thank you, dear readers, for your support, and your patience as you await the sequels to The Game and The Last Troubadour. I haven't had time to reply to everyone who has written -- I promise to be in touch soon! Very busy with the publisher's last minute proofs for MADicine (sequel to The Game -- MADicine is now on its way to the press!) and The Last Quest (sequel to The Last Troubadour, due out in Fall 08. I beg you to be patient!

  The Last Troubadour: Song of Montsegur 

Meanwhile for Bane fans, here's a sneak peak at MADicine. Bane is at his satirical and sarcastic best as he heads up a new UN agency with the unfortunate acronym of WART. Think of it as The Bourne Identity meets House M.D., as Bane saves the world with his new "angels" -- a satirical nod to Charlie's Angels of course. MADicine is already buzzing:

"In his follow-up to the excellent The Game (2007), Armstrong takes on a whole new set of challenges....Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways. An ambitious attempt from a writer of abundant talent."Booklist

  MADicine

"Escaping a facility in California, a virus intended to help cure the world of violence unleashes an epidemic of rage infecting every nation on earth. A relief organization with the unfortunate acronym W.A.R.T. is the world's only hope of salvation. Enter Alban Bane, an acerbic, outrageous detective, and his new partner, Dr. Ada Kenner of the Center for Disease Control, who detects a pattern in the mysterious pockets of rage. The unlikely duo chase the virus from Los Angeles to France, Hong Kong, and Africa in a global race against time in the company of a ragtag cast of allies and enemies. This robust adventure satirizes medical thrillers and zombie stories in one suspenseful sweep, delivering equal measures of satire, thrills, suspense, and comedy." IPG

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Pictured: Left, Derek Armstrong with his horses Skugga and Bjarta, who became Izzy and Wizzy in The Last Troubadour novel (shown right)

"You were full of juicy tarot information," said Leisa ReFalo, host of the popular podcast on tarotconnection.net and professional Tarot Reader. What fun. I chatted with Leisa for an hour about my love of Tarot, and — according to Leisa, anyway — I had "no terrible speech habits. I thought you sounded great." Okay, I feel a little better. I'm not Mr. Radio. There's a reason I became an author.

In that quick hour, Leisa squeezed in a lot of Tarot history, a reading from the novel, a bio of all the characters and how they relate to Tarot card trumps, and a whole lot of funky history. I'll just quote from her page, found at : http://tarotconnection.net/episode-59/ (I guess I'm episode 59!) —

"So, is this a clever gimmick? Just an author who thought one day, Hey, this hasn’t been done before? Does he even own a Tarot deck?I did not undertake The Last Troubadour lightly. The entire trilogy was a journey of some 18 years. Carcassonne and the south of France are my old haunts, where I explored the history in depth. An important history.
Nor is Tarot a passing fancy for me. My first deck was a Pixie, bought with part-timer earnings after school back in 1972. I’m obviously much older now, and I still have my Pixie, and some 112 other decks. Current favorites include Thoth (bought in 1974), Kat Black’s Golden, Place’s Buddha Tarot, Carol Herzer’s Illuminated, and a dozen others. I actually almost always have a deck in my pocket.

Why do I weave the mystical and legend with history? Well, why not? It’s fun, isn’t it? But more important, it’s a way of conveying important events that is entertaining and at the same time “real.” What better way for me to personally explore Tarot cards and archetypes and to convey some of what I’ve learned. The journey of the Fool is my favorite aspect of Tarot. It’s actually the plotline of all great epic fiction.

So, one day, two decades ago, I meditated on The FOOL in my very old Pixie (Rider Waite Smith) deck and he came to life. He became Ramon Troubadour. His journey became a novel-journey through the tarot major arcana. I actually named him Ramon, after researching Doctor Illuminatus, otherwise known as Ramon Lull, author of 320 books written at the time of my novel (the thirteenth century). He even had a character in his most famous book, Blanquerna, name Ramon the Fool. Wow.

All of my books have Tarot themes in them, some dark, some light. The Game, my hit thriller features a humorous “fool” character in the always-joking Alban Bane character. He was so popular, fans demanded a sequel, which comes out spring 08 as MADicine. This series is a blend of satire, comedy and thriller – bloody fun, quite literally.
The Last Troubadour and the other two books of the series, The Last Quest and The Last Stand, are “dripping with Tarot themes.” Most of the early fans are tarot-enthusiasts. Nevara, my Magician character, is my “fictional” inventor of Tarot. Each character is a major arcane archetype. And, of course, the epic journey is the archetypal journey of The Fool. To which, I added real history, substantial satire (targeting in particular the latest craze for Holy Grail themes), comedy and adventure – shaken not stirred.

Next year, with any good fortune, you’ll start to see these characters in Troubadour-style imagery as famed artist Kam Wai Yu illustrates the Troubadour Tarot, a dream of mine, to be published by Kunati. I hope you’ll take the journey with me."
Leisa explored why some characters are disfigured and had me read from the most "tarot-oriented" chapter in the book, a scene with my Magician, Nevara, reading from her invented Tarot cards and using them to help the main character Ramon with her magick. What fun.

Here's the synopsis of the book from Leisa's page:

"Ramon Troubadour returns to his devastated home city of Carcassonne to rescue the holy Dame of the Cathars from the flames of the Inquisition. His famous voice and sense of humor help him make new allies in his quest to prevent a bloody crusade.

Only the Dame knows the secret of the holy relic of Montségur. A king will go to war for the relic. A dying pope will kill for it.

Helped by a nameless one-eyed knight, a fighting damsel, a witch and a circus of colorful entertainers on dancing horses, Ramon must stand against a terrifying army led by Death incarnate, complete with archetypal scythe.
Based on the true history of the Inquisition and the legend of the Tarot, The Last Troubadour assembles a magnificent cast right out of the Tarot deck: the Fool, the Magician, The Emperor, The Pope, Death and even The Devil. Don’t miss this tale of knightly valor, Tarot symbolism, tragic history and exciting quests."

A bit of cool history on her page as well. She put up the original 1980's book trailer — the first trailer ever created, by the famous artist Kam Wai Yu — along side my publisher Kunati's latest version 2007. The original one was more Monty Python — I do so love humor — and the new one is more Tarot. I'd be interested in knowing which one people liked better (drop me an email at my website http://www.lasttroubadour.com).

Check it the podcast at http://tarotconnection.net/episode-59/

Part one of The Last Troubadour Fan Club!
Way to go, Ramon Troubadour!
     
"I'm a big fan!" C. Gerus

"This is the best book I've read. I mean the best ever." Jenine

"I sat down to savor. I gobbled it up in one weekend. Amazing." D. Carus

"Magnificent. Wise. Bawdy. Funny. Exciting. Tarot. What more could anyone ask?" Wise Tarot Magazine

"Don't miss this book! Derek Armstrong, get writing!! I'm ready for the sequels to this book. Very well written, engrossing, and just enough humor to balance the rather graphic description of people burning at the stake. I heartily concur with the jacket: "An author to watch"... and worth waiting for, although I want them NOW!! Great history, wonderful characterizations. So, Derek, are you ready to publish the next two books yet? This avid fan is very eagerly, but not so patiently, waiting." S Otis

"Wow!" S Fastow

"My only regret, next fall is a long time to wait for the sequel! I'm telling everyone to read!" E. McGee

"My only complaint is the ending. I didn't want it to end." B Cunningham

"I can't wait for the second book." M. Ross

"The Last Troubadour was amazing!" Ana

"Life is myth and archetypes and Armstrong depicts both with brilliance." K Harrington

"I love The Last Troubadour. It's thrilling!" S. Francis

"The Inquisition, a crusade, tarot, Cathars? I'm in! As soon as I found there was a quest for a holy relic, I was hooked, and stayed hooked until the conclusion." D. Diotalevi

"I really enjoyed it! More, please." Leslie

"if you're smart you'll get it. And love it." T Sentell

"Is it historical fiction, thriller, epic, romance, adventure, biting satire? All of the above." R Carter

"All the colors of humanity into his characters, among them duty, compassion, and humor." K Harrington

"This novel is like a house on fire. This story moves!" R. Metcalf

"Intriguing!" C Hawkes

"I have just had the emormous luck of having "The Last Troubadour - Song of Montsegur", by Derek Armstrong, cross my path. The key to this book ... at least in the eyes of most Tarotists, is that Armstrong has chosen to model his major characters after Tarot archetypes. His writing is superb, and his characters full blooded people, not two dimensional works of art on paper.

The setting for the novel is 13th century Europe, in the city of Carcassonne. The plot is one of cunning and intrigue. Part humor, history, part mystery, this rowdy, bawdy book is a marvelous read! "Bonnie

Comments from one of the biggest Tarot Forums online:
"Put this on your wish list for Christmas!"
"I loved your book!"
"My favorite character is Death. It helped me visualize the card. The whole novel is like a journey through the Tarot. Thank you."
"My only criticism is your Devil character. I have to wait for book two for the Devil? I loved it."
"Reading your book helped me overcome a block in designing my own deck. Your archetypes are perfect!"

Oh, from the mainstream reviewers:

•    "...brilliance in which Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways."

    — David Pitt, Booklist Magazine

•    "The Last Troubadour is a must read, a sizzling blend of satire, adventure, historical romance and comedy. The tarot-based characters are inspired. This is definitely an author to watch."

    — Films & Books Magazine

•    "Kudos to Derek Armstrong ... this is a wonderful work of art, and I highly recommend it to all who are interested in the Tarot, in the history of the 13th century, and in a mystery that crosses many boundaries!"

    –Bonnie Cehovet, TE, Aeclectic Tarot Book Review

Please drop in to my space at myspace! I have a lot to share with my friends, and it's a hip place to hang out. Visit me, read my latest blogs, send me a message (yes, I'll answer!) find out the latest, check out my friends, hang out, invite me. Addictive place, isn't it? http://www.myspace.com/lasttroubadour

 

---

Magazine Links

• Films and Books Magazine
• Deadly Prose Magazine, the "authority in fiction."
• Wise Tarot Magazine
• The Last Trobuadour, a novel described as "brilliance...genuinely innovative... the tarot characters are inspired..." Booklist

---

Well, not really! But I have to point my sarcastic wit at something, and that's usually politics, religion, sex or the stupidity of television. My fall release from Kunati, The Last Troubadour, is almost certainly my funniest and most thrilling work. From my website:

"In The Last Troubadour, three absolutely outrageous and funny historical characters—the Troubadour, the Templar and the Temptress set out on a wild quest to rescue the Holy Grail from the crusading French armies of King Louis of France.

Based on a true history, but told with stinging Armstrong humor and thrills, The Last Troubadour is set against the early years of the Inquisition. The cast of characters are as daring and colorful as this amazing twist on the religious thriller."

Early Reviews:

“A rousing epic, yet the main character, Ramon, has normal human doubts. He is likeable, especially in his relationship with is dog, Mauri.”
Anne Montagnes, author of Mumsahib and Jade Slash

---

“This novel starts like a house on fire. This story moves!”
Rory Metcalf, novelist

---

“The real and symbolic destruction of an entire people hope is very forcefully recreated. A totally believable picture of Carcassonne in the Middle Ages.”
Mary Bird, novelist

---

“Very entertaining fascinating historical event with important issues presented through an immediate intrigue and varied characters.”
M.J. Smart, novelist

---

“I like the whimsical manner with which you tell this story. It like reading a mystical tale rather than a history. I like the smells and sounds. I greatly admire the degree of research.”
Diane Whitehouse, author

 From Kunati's website:

"Armstrong quills a laugh-out-loud historical thriller that is at once genuine, amusing, tragic and exciting. The last living troubadour, condemned by the church as a heretic, must rescue the Holiest Christian relic from a crusading Sainted King and "flaming" Pope Innocence. With him are a disgraced Templar and a lucious Temptress. Together, the Troubadour, the Templar and the Temptress are the last hope to save the Holy of Holies from powerful men who would exploit it to provoke a new crusade to Jerusalem.

Armstrong somehow retains his trademark "prose style that keeps us chuckling" while pointing his satirical wit at a Church that believes the answer to faith is to burn any who do not believe. With larger-than-life characters that manage not to become caricatures, Armstrong sets his heroes against the Diableteur, a witch hunter who resembles the archetypal "Death and his sickle", a lecherous archbishop who believes the relic can make him the next Pope, and a Pope who knows the true nature of the relic will destroy the Church. With Ramon Troubadour and his Templar/Temptress duo are an ecclectic cast of characters—the one-eyed "black" knight who falls in love with the virgin Holy Lady, the deaf-mute pagan farm girl who can communicate in ways that frighten even her family, and famous rebels, Doré the Dandy and Audric the Hammer. Oh, not to foget little Mauri, a "rat-like" mongrel of a dog who often "saves the day", and Izzy and Wizi, two "nearly human" horses.

If you enjoy your thrills and history—crusading knights, magical troubadours, fighting damsels, evil archbishops and roasting "heretics" on the pyre—mixed with a genorous dollop of humor, large dashes of historical tragedy, and a big splash of satire, you'll adore The Last Troubadour, a genre-bend if there ever was one."